A Richmond Hill, Ontario, homeowner was injured after police said three suspects smashed a front window and forced their way into a house before dawn.
The home invasion happened April 28 just before 4:30 a.m. near Hyde Park Drive and Red Oak Drive, according to York Regional Police. Investigators said at least one suspect was believed to be carrying a metal object.
The suspects confronted the homeowner inside the residence, and police said the homeowner was assaulted. The victim sustained minor injuries, and the group fled moments later in a black SUV driven by a fourth suspect.
The case moved forward June 11, when officers executed search warrants at a Kitchener residence and arrested an 18-year-old suspect. For property owners, the practical issue is narrower than the charge list: police say the entry point was a front window, and investigators are still looking for information that may help identify the remaining suspects.
The Suspects Broke Through a Front Window Before Dawn
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Police said three suspects forced their way into the home by smashing a front window. Once inside, they confronted the homeowner, but investigators said no demands were made before the suspects left.
The fourth suspect remained in a black SUV, according to police. CityNews Toronto reported that the homeowner was left with minor injuries and that investigators are still searching for three suspects in the case.
Ground-level windows, porch sightlines, exterior lighting, and nearby camera angles can all matter after a break-in, especially when suspects leave before officers arrive.
An 18-Year-Old Was Charged After Search Warrants
York Regional Police identified the accused as Manav Kotak, 18, of Kitchener. Police said he faces charges including robbery, disguise with intent, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a prohibited device, careless storage of a firearm, and two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The charges have not been tested in court. CityNews reported that police said the Kitchener search allegedly turned up a loaded firearm, a replica firearm, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and other controlled substances with an estimated street value of $10,000.
Those search-warrant allegations are separate from the entry point at the Richmond Hill home. In the home-invasion account, police said at least one suspect was believed to be carrying a metal object.
Police Are Still Looking for Three Suspects
Investigators said three suspects remain outstanding, and the case is ongoing. York Regional Police asked anyone with information to contact the Hold-Up Unit or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
The police release also directed residents to York Region’s crime data portal and security camera registry. Those tools can matter after a break-in because investigators may need footage from homes, driveways, doorbells, garages, or nearby streets to track where suspects went before and after an incident.
York Regional Police’s break-and-enter prevention guidance tells residents to use security cameras, put indoor and outdoor lights on timers, cut back trees and shrubs that block the view of entrances, and keep doors and windows closed, locked, and secured.